Tim Sherwood has spoken ahead tonight’s derby encounter with Birmingham City in the Capital One Cup.
Speaking to the official website, the boss spoke of the importance of the fixture “We tell them that this means an awful lot – and it’s not just a normal game. You can only do it by talking to them. The experienced players in our dressing room who have experienced derbies can also help them along with that.”
The last time the two clubs met was in 2011 in a Premier League clash which ended in a draw. The clubs have met previously in this competition in 2010, where Birmingham came out as 2-1 winners, going onto lift the trophy.
Sherwood continued “It will be intense. It’s a big game and one I think they can handle. I am telling them it means an awful lot to the fans and it means an awful lot to the dressing room.”
Villa came through the last round beating League Two side Notts County 5-3, as extra time was needed to separate the sides, rivals Birmingham beat Gillingham 2-0.
Sherwood’s side haven’t won in the league since the opening day against Bournemouth, “We need to experience that winning feeling again” he says.
